Mar 19

Fujitsu eBook Reader Raises the Bar…

FLEPia

FLEPia

Or does it? Now, I’m as impressed by Fujitstu’s FLEPia Color eBook Reader, as anybody. It’s a fantastic little machine. Read the story at cnet here. Honestly, it’s going to be as popular as Japan’s new robot girl.

But I think we’re at a crossroads. At $1,000 it’s starting to push the price of eBook reading outside the capabilities of the average family. The other thing is: did they invent a color eBook reader or re-invent the hand-held desktop? I just hope that all the bells and whistles do not create a demand for, well, bells and whistles.

True, we’re in the development stages of eBook Reader design, but must I be able to email or Twitter from every piece of furniture and appliance? In the end, I believe this machines will help drive the price down for practical mulitpurpose eBook Readers, and push the market toward affordable devices tailored to suit the consumer’s need. Yah?



Mar 18

“Bande Dessinée” at the Paris Book Fair

 

Click to Visit site...

Click to Visit site...

The Paris Book Fair  continues with a shift in focus to the companies Aquafada and MobiLire who have a different take on the eBook Reader. Read the full story at PCWorld here. They’re adapting smaller smartphones with software to display full-page comics and graphic novels on tiny screens.

MobiLire is using a paintstaking process based on methods in use for manga in the Japanese market. Companies there release their strips on phones before committing to publishing them. So far MobiLire has adapted 50 titles for use in trials.

One would think graphic novels and comic strips would be a perfect option for the commute where distractions might disturb the concentration required for reading other digital material like newspapers or novels.  Yah?

Aquafada’s AVE! Comics software runs on smartphones, the iPhone and the BlackBerry, with versions to run on Mac and PC (Windows or Linux). They sell their comics through Apple iTunes for about half the price as the printed versions. Very slick website and interface.


Mar 17

Wattpad.com – Read What You Like – Share What You Write.

Wattpad.com offers eBooks to Mobile users. They’ve got a really interesting and large selection of free eBooks formatted for your favorite device. Not just the old public domain stuff either. (Ever read Moby Dick on a cell phone?) Writers and publishers are using it to show off their wares, and users can add their two cents if they’ve got a hankering. Really kind of cool, yah?

Wattpad says they are “all about reading and sharing ebooks. You can read what you like and share what you write, because the material on Wattpad are uploaded by community members like you. You can upload whatever you want to share – a story, an essay or a joke, and then read it wherever you are even on your mobile phone. Can’t find something? You can request it from other Wattpad members.”

Check it out!


Mar 16

FREE SONY eBOOK READER

I received this press release late, but there’s still time to get your name into the running. The full release containing contest rules is here.

For the chance to win a FREE SONY eBOOK READER:

“Interested persons can go to The Wild Rose Press website and purchase any of the books listed by participating authors, including Robinson’s titles, Mail Order Husband, A Wife for Big John, An Unbelievable Journey, and Shotgun Bride-The Quinter Brides Book 1. After making a purchase, email the order number to the address listed on the site to be entered in the drawing…” MORE.

The game’s not as straightforwards as bingo, but I like to see the tech being incorporated into traditional advertising and promotion. Cool, yah?


Mar 15

Sony PRS700’s European Vacation

The Sony PRS700 Reader Digital Book – eBook Reader is attending the 2009 International Book Fair at Porte de Versailles in Paris.

You can read the article here at the Sonyinsider.com.

Rather a smart travel plan when considering Kindle 2’s fear of flying. (That’s my thickly veiled aside about Amazon’s unbelievable decision to make Kindle 2 available within the United States and nowhere else. There’s talk of a European upgrade for Kindle in the pipe, but any delay is too long when you look at the seemingly endless parade of new eBook Reading kids rushing onto the block, yah?)

Good for you Sony PRS700 Reader Digital Book – eBook Reader. I’ve used one of these technical wonders and they’re pricey but fantastic! Bon voyage!



Mar 14

Well is it a Netbook, or an eBook Reader?

I’m betting it’s an eBook Reader. More rumblings from the Apple orchard about their Netbook. The full story here at Gizmodo.com.

You’ll find similar whispering here at cnet news. They’re saying the same thing there with a bit more filling.

We’ve already referenced this before here…that quote about truckloads of books being secretly scanned, yah?

But now we’ve got a rumor about Apple ordering 10-inch touch screens from Taiwan… Something’s up, so keep your eyes peeled!


Mar 13

Love at First Sight…

But love, like the price of this beauty, can be a bitch. Brother’s SV-100B Bluetooth document viewer will catch your eye and capture your heart.

brother

Unfortunately at just under $1,500 it’s a better fit for pre-recession economies…even for corporate clientele. But it’s just so damned beautiful!

Read the Engadget.com article featuring specs here, and view the rest of its lovely angles here.

The SV-100B is Bluetooth equipped, with an over 9″ e-ink display and frankly it’s calling my name. They’re saying it’s aimed at business, but we’ll see. This thing would look fantastic on the coffee table.

The SV-100B is the kind of thinking we’re waiting for, yah? Just a pure, unadulterated futuristic, multi-purpose e-Doc reading machine. It’s beautiful. It’s fantastic.

Now if they can knock $1,200 or so off the price I’ll buy.


Mar 12

In Your Face PCWorld!

I never thought I’d get to say it, but there you go. eBook Rumors talked about this on FEBRUARY 21st! And we carried a rumor suggesting Apple had something on the way based on a iPhone all the way back on January 18th.

It’s a good feeling.

PCWorld is finally getting around to talking about the coming Kindle 2/iPhone Death Match here.

(Note: I’m not saying we broke the news, since we were working from other articles and rumors, but PCWorld is usually closer to the edge of the envelope than this. … unless it’s PC bias, yah?)


Mar 11

Pixelar e-Reader Joins In…

What reads any MOBI, PDF, LIT, EPUB, HTML, TXT, PRC, FB2, JPG file and a wide range of free RSS newsfeeds? The Pixelar e-Reader does. Slashgear.com reviews it here.

Another contender in the expanding eBook reading market, the Pixelar e-Reader offers a number of the usual suspects including its 6″ x E-ink display set in a robust but stylish body. Read the full specs here. Pixelar is an interesting addition to the race for eBook reading supremacy. They already produce tech that ranges from video picture frames to video baby monitors.

Pixelar eBook Reader

Pixelar eBook Reader

Their e-Reader starts breaking away from the pack with its open source platform so you’re free to read a wide range of digital information, with a capacity to store a massive number of eBooks, digital magazines, and documents, etc. on 512 MB internal memory and 1GB SD card (included) expandable up to 4 GB.

That’s roomy, yah?

Between its massive SD memory storage capability and its USB connect, the Pixelar e-Reader easily transfers your own content or online content to the e-Reader.

Still too pricey at a base of $324 (before adding extras) at least Pixelar’s e-Reader shows that the battle for top dog is well underway.


Mar 10

Whoops… well, how was I to know? It’s Read An eBook Week!

Sorry folks. Turns out this is Read an eBOOK WEEK! Apparently it runs from March 8-19, 2009. How was I to know, I mean, come on… I’ve been busy, and…

But there’s a new technology for you. It’s being celebrated and few of us know. (I’m assuming few of us know…yah?)

Anyway, I’m not going to dwell on the oversight. Instead, I’ll honor the week by encouraging you to read an eBook this week. There are some affordable or free eBook links right on this site, so have a look.

Cheers.